Buffalo Bills Links, 1/8: Breaking down Colts vs. Bills

Plus, injury updates on Cole Beasley and Stefon Diggs

By John Boccacino Jan 8, 2021, 7:00am EST

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In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we turn our attention to Saturday’s AFC Wild Card clash between the No. 2 Bills (13-3) and No. 7 Indianapolis Colts (11-5).

We discuss how the Bills aren’t overlooking a good and talented Colts’ team, address whether the Bills’ defense should follow the same blueprint it used in bottling up Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and examine how Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is a matchup nightmare.

We compare the 2020 Bills to their 1988 counterparts—who laid the foundation for a run to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances—get the latest injury updates on wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley, hear why one NFL analyst would take quarterback Josh Allen over reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, compare where Buffalo’s offseason trade for Diggs ranks among the top trades in franchise history, and much more!

Previewing the Colts

Buffalo Bills better than Colts on paper, but ‘don’t believe everything you see’ - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
The Bills enter the postseason with a six-game winning streak and impressive statistics, but are not overlooking sneaky-good Indianapolis.

Should Bills use Roethlisberger game plan vs. Colts’ Philip Rivers? (7 things to watch) - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills and Colts will kickoff Super Wild Card weekend.

Colts-Bills preview: Buffalo’s weakness? How can Indy win? – The Athletic
Do the Bills have a weakness? How should the Colts attack Buffalo? Beat writers discuss and break it all down. (Subscription required).

X’s and O’s: Bills must keep DeForest Buckner from ruining pocket | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The acquisition of Buckner was the Colts’ version of the Stefon Diggs trade last offseason.

Next Gen Stats: One area where Josh Allen could exploit Colts defense - BuffaloBills.com
“One area where Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen could exploit the Indianapolis Colts defense.”

How will Bills fare in wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts? | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Don’t miss The News’ sports staff predictions for Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game between the Bills and Indianapolis Colts.

Bills vs. Colts: How to watch Super Wild Card weekend matchup (TV channel, time, live stream information) - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills and Colts will face off on Saturday afternoon.

Colts’ Darius Leonard out to prove he’s better than Bills’ Tremaine Edmunds in Wild Card game - newyorkupstate.com
Edmunds was selected 20 picks before Leonard in 2018 NFL Draft.

View from Vegas: Despite the 7-point spread, expect Bills-Colts to be close | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Remember, every scorching force cools off after reaching its apex,” writes Harry Scull, Jr.

NFL playoffs wild-card round game picks, bracket schedule, odds, injuries, bold predictions and more - ESPN.com
What to watch for in every game. Bold predictions. Key stats to know. And, of course, score predictions.

News, Notes as Bills Begin Key Playoff Run

Comparing Bills of 1988 to 2020: Will history repeat? - Democrat & Chronicle
Could this be the start of something for the Bills? The 1988 team made a leap that led to great things, and the 2020 team may be doing the same.

For Bills Mafia, playoffs come with pandemic spin - Democrat & Chronicle
A limited number of fans will be able to attend the team’s first home playoff game in 24 years. But tailgating is strictly prohibited.

McDermott: ‘Right now, we’re in a one-game season’ - WGR 550
“Bills head coach Sean McDermott joined Howard and Jeremy ahead of Saturday’s Wild Card Round matchup with the Colts.”

Bills’ quarantined QB Fromm may play important role in playoffs - Democrat & Chronicle
Jake Fromm’s isolated role from the team appears to be essential entering the playoffs.

Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley Questionable

Bills’ receivers Cole Beasley, Stefon Diggs questionable for AFC wild-card game | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Beasley was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s session. Diggs, who has an oblique injury, also was limited in practice Thursday after sitting out Tuesday and Wednesday.

Buffalo Bills’ Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley questionable for playoff game vs. Indianapolis Colts - ESPN.com
Bills WRs Stefon Diggs (oblique) and Cole Beasley (knee) were listed as questionable for Saturday’s playoff game against the Colts.

Bills’ Cole Beasley, Stefon Diggs return to practice Thursday, questionable vs. Colts - newyorkupstate.com
Beasley (knee) and Diggs (oblique) weren’t able to practice on Wednesday.

Diggs, Beasley questionable to play Saturday against Colts - WGR 550
Both Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley returned to Bills practice on Thursday ahead of Buffalo’s Wild Card Round matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

AFC Offensive Player of the Month Honors for Josh Allen

Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Month - WGR 550
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been named the NFL’s AFC Offensive Player of the Month for the month of December. Allen threw for over 1,500 yards over the final five games of the regular season.

Bills QB Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for December | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Allen joined Thurman Thomas (1991) and Bruce Smith (1996) as the only Bills players to win two player-of-the-month awards in the same season.

Some in league circles would take Allen over Mahomes - WGR 550
Once unthinkable, there are apparently some in high places in the NFL who would take Josh Allen over Patrick Mahomes.

Odds and Ends

Bills future prospects, draft needs on display in Week 17 – The Athletic
Is Taron Johnson the answer at nickel? Could Antonio Williams carve out a bigger role? Bills got a glimpse against Miami. (Subscription required).

Inside the Bills: How the deal for Stefon Diggs ranks among top trades in team history | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Stefon Diggs doesn’t come across as someone who gets nervous easily. The wide receiver, however, recently admitted to a situation that made him feel those butterflies in his stomach.

Drew Bledsoe, unfiltered - Go Long with Tyler Dunne
“The former QB opens up on the hit that changed football, his thriving wine business, Tom Brady’s 2020 motivation and why the Bills can win it all. (He’ll smash through a table when they do, too.), writes Tyler Dunne.”

Rod Watson: Bills fever? Let’s avoid community spread | Columnists | buffalonews.com
“Thousands of Bills fans greeted the team plane after the players clinched the division title. The delirium has yet to let up,” writes Rod Watson.

Erik Brady: 40 years after injury derailed Super Bowl hopes, Joe Ferguson remains a Bill at heart | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“When I sign an autograph,” Ferguson says, “I always add ‘Buffalo Bills’ to the bottom of it.”

Buffalo Bills’ Taiwan Jones gifts playoff tickets to wrongfully imprisoned man - ESPN.com
Buffalo Bills running back Taiwan Jones gifted playoff tickets to Valentino Dixon, who was exonerated and released from prison in 2018 after serving 27 years for a crime he didn’t commit.

Bills Today | What does Buffalo’s toxic differential ranking mean for the playoffs? - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Friday, Jan. 8.

Bills’ 1st AFC East Title in 25 Years: 4 Years in the Making - BuffaloBills.com
This feature gives fans a detailed look into how the Bills and their fans enjoyed the historic 2020 regular season.

Erie County will watch for restaurant violations during Bills playoff game | Local News | buffalonews.com
Health inspectors will be on the lookout Saturday to make sure restaurants are following the state’s COVID-19 regulations during the Bills’ playoff game.

Colts sign receiver who was on Bills practice squad last week to reserve/futures deal | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Jennings was signed Dec. 30 and was released, along with receiver J.J. Nelson, when the Bills added Kenny Stills and Tanner Gentry.

Josh’s Journey: 10 games that have defined Allen and what we learned about him | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
From rookie to MVP candidate, here are ten mileposts on Josh Allen’s journey.

Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley drops new song - WGR 550
“It’s been a dream of his since he was a kid in high school, and he continues to make it a reality, all while playing in the NFL,” writes Josh Clark for 105.3 The Fan.